Revisiting 'Active Participation' in Orthodox Ecclesial Life

Contemporary Orthodox discourse frequently explores lay participation in liturgical activities, such as congregational singing, public reading, and assisting at the sanctuary. Scholars have observed a correlation between this phenomenon and the directives of Vatican II on “active participation,” which not only influenced Roman Catholic theology but also shaped Orthodox perspectives on liturgy, notably advocated by theological figures like Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann and Archbishop Paul of Finland. One may also ask whether the emphasis on active participation has found particular resonance in cultures influenced by the individualism of early 16th-century Protestant interpretations of the priesthood of all believers or subsequent iterations thereof. Rather than scrutinizing these modern or medieval undercurrents beneath contemporary debates, this study redirects attention to the sources, aiming to delineate the essence of active participation as exemplified by a prominent congregational homilist of the Patristic era, John Chrysostom. The central inquiry concerns the nature of ecclesiastical participation that Chrysostom envisioned for his Christian audiences. A systematic examination of his congregational homilies reveals that Chrysostom outlines minimal expectations regarding the public roles of his audience within the liturgical synaxis. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of frequent attendance at liturgical services, earnest reception of ecclesiastical instruction, participation in the Eucharist, and focused prayer, alongside the cultivation of piety, the continuous pursuit of spiritual growth, Christian witness, and material generosity.